Georgia School Of Orthodontics Expands Faculty To Support Growing Number Of Orthodontic Residents And Second Atlanta Campus

With the addition of six new faculty members, Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) advances its commitment to offer an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics while providing quality orthodontic care to patients. The school operates two clinics located in metro-Atlanta.

“Our faculty consists of a talented group of doctors who have experience in the areas of full-time academics as well as full-time private practice in the orthodontic profession,” said Dr. Ricky Harrell, Program Director of GSO. “They include the best in the field of orthodontics and are dedicated to providing residents with exceptional didactic and clinical training.”

The faculty includes Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontists, academicians with years of experience, and a world-renowned researcher with over 15 specialty degrees and designations.

New faculty members include:

Holland Maness, D.M.D. is a forensic odontologist, nationally recognized lecturer, and an immensely experienced professor and course director. She received her residency training in orthodontics from the Medical College of Georgia and her Fellowship training in Forensic Odontology from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Maness is dual certified by both the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Forensic Odontology, making her one of approximately 90 board-certified forensic dentists in the country. Prior to joining GSO, Dr. Maness served as a part-time Orthodontic Instructor at Georgia Regents University and as the full-time Graduate Clinic Director of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry.

Deborah Borden D.M.D., M.S. brings more than 30 years of expertise to her Associate Professor role at GSO. Dr. Borden is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), and her Master of Science in Oral Biology. Dr. Borden is dual trained and holds a Certificate in both Orthodontics from the University of Louisville and Pediatric Dentistry from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Gabriele Herrera D.D.S., M.S. has an extensive international background in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. She began her dental education in Venezuela, where she graduated Universidad Santa Maria (USM) in 2004, completed her fellowship in endodontics through USM in 2005, and became a specialist in dentofacial functional orthopedics through the Venezuelan Society of Functional Orthopedics in 2006. In 2008, Dr. Herrera continued her education in the United States, where she attended New York University to become a specialist in orthodontics. She completed cleft lip and palate advanced training at New York University Medical Center in 2008 and obtained her masters in orthodontics with a three year post-graduate program. Dr. Herrera also served as a faculty member at USM from 2011-2015 for their pre-doctoral pediatric/orthodontic dentistry program.

Michael Hebert, D.D.S., M.S. is a Louisiana native and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loyola University New Orleans. After graduation, he served for two years in the United States Air Force as a Captain in the Dental Corps, treating Vietnam-era troops at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. Upon finishing active duty, he resumed his education at St. Louis University School of Orthodontics, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics. Dr. Hebert has more than 40 years of experience in the private practice of orthodontics in Colorado and Louisiana.

Damon Wilkerson, D.D.S. most recently served as the Director of Orthodontics at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System Advanced Education in General Dentistry. Dr. Wilkerson’s educational and teaching experience includes the positions of Associate Professor, Assistant Clinical Professor, and Assistant Director of Graduate Clinical Care at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. He has also served as Assistant Clinical Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences. He is a graduate of the University of Texas San Antonio School of Dentistry. In addition to a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree and Certificate in Orthodontics, Dr. Wilkerson holds an Associate’s Degree in Dental Laboratory Technology. After completing a one-year Pediatric Dental Hospital G.P.R. at Oklahoma Memorial Children’s Hospital, he returned to the University of Texas at Houston and completed his residency in orthodontics and then attended the University of Michigan to pursue advanced training in Human Growth and Development.

Jose Garcia D.D.S. joins Georgia School of Orthodontics with 41 years of clinical experience. He received his orthodontic certificate from the University of Illinois School Of Dentistry and entered private practice in his hometown of Mexicali, Baja California. Dr. Garcia taught in the undergraduate program at the University of Baja California Dental School for six years while working part-time in his son’s private orthodontic practice in Temecula, CA. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the Mexican Association of Orthodontists.

Georgia School of Orthodontics established its presence in Georgia with a state-of-the-art academic campus and patient care center in Fulton County. The inaugural class of 18 residents and two fellows will begin their second year of graduate orthodontic study in late summer, and the new class of residents and fellows will begin this fall. Earlier this year, GSO hosted a ground breaking ceremony for its second technologically advanced campus and clinic located in Gwinnett County, which will open in September.

Georgia School of Orthodontics faculty includes over 20 doctors who have experience in the areas of full-time academics as well as full-time private practice in the orthodontic profession. They include the best in the field of orthodontics and are dedicated to providing residents with exceptional didactic and clinical training. The resident doctors exhibit diverse backgrounds and strong academic credentials. They come from all over the country and include pediatric and general dentists who have private practice experience.

“Combined, the inaugural class and the incoming second class represent over 35 outstanding dentists that will be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics to serve our communities and provide affordable care to the underserved population,” said Dr. Harrell.

About Georgia School of Orthodontics

Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), based in Atlanta, Ga., offers an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents while providing quality orthodontic care to patients in the school’s two patient clinics located in metro-Atlanta. GSO’s mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics while providing Georgians with the highest level of patient care available. GSO faculty and staff are dedicated to diversity in both education and practice. For more information about GSO, visit GSOrthodontics.org. To schedule a complimentary consultation, visit bracestoday.com or call 770. 351.7737.